NCJ Number
216233
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 29 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 671-690
Date Published
October 2006
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed the mediational role of parents and teachers in the association of deviant behavior and victimization at school with psychological distress among a sample of adolescents.
Abstract
Results from a sample of Spanish adolescents suggest that deviant behavior is not directly related to psychological distress and further, the association of deviant behavior and psychological distress seemed to be completely mediated by relationships with parents and, to a lesser extent, with teachers. As in previous studies, higher levels of deviant behavior were associated with a poorer communication with parents and teachers which, in turn, were positively associated with concurrent adolescent psychological distress. This finding points to the important role that significant adults may play as potential mediators between deviant behavior and psychological distress. In the area of victimization, a direct path between victimization and psychological distress was found. This confirmed other research findings which showed that victimization was positively associated with psychological distress among adolescents. However, victimization was not associated with relationships with adults. Previous studies suggest that school-based deviant behavior, victimization, and relationships with parents and teachers are associated with psychological distress. Utilizing a sample of 973 Spanish students from 4 public schools in Valencia, Spain, this study examined the association of adolescent deviant behavior and victimization with psychological distress, exploring the mediational roles of adolescent relationships with parents and teachers. Tables, figures, appendix and references